The harvest of cornel cherries, locally referred to as ‘ergen’, has begun in the Gümüşsu neighborhood of the Çivril district in Denizli. These fruits grow naturally on trees along garden edges and are being hand-picked by local producers.
The harvested fruit is sold to traders at local collection points, with prices ranging between 60 and 80 lira per kilogram depending on the variety and ripeness. While buyers from Uşak and Kütahya have traditionally purchased the crop, interest has recently expanded to include traders from Eskişehir and Ankara.
In the Çivril region, the fruit is primarily used to make marmalade and jam, though it is also used in regional tarhana. The cornel cherry is also consumed fresh and used for syrups, juices, and teas, valued for its antioxidant properties and Vitamin C content.